Pakistan enhancing nuke capabilities, regards India as threat; says US report
PTC News Desk: Pakistan is upgrading its nuclear capabilities with both military and economic assistance from China and continues to perceive India as a fundamental threat, according to the latest World Threat Assessment released by the U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency on Sunday.
"Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMDapplicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," the report stated.
The report notes that Pakistan’s military priorities for the year ahead are expected to focus on cross-border clashes with neighboring countries and the ongoing enhancement of its nuclear arsenal. It also points out that Pakistan is acquiring materials and technologies for weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) from China, with some of these transactions being routed through intermediary nations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE.
While China remains Pakistan’s primary source of military hardware, the report observes growing tensions between the two countries, largely due to repeated terrorist attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan.
"Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage," it said.
The report mentions New Delhi’s response to a late April terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, when India launched missile strikes targeting terrorism-linked infrastructure in Pakistan.
“The missile strike provoked multiple rounds of missile, drone, and loitering munition attacks, and heavy artillery fire, by both militaries from 7 to 10 May. As of 10 May, both militaries had agreed to a full ceasefire,” it stated.
- PTC NEWS
